Rotary pump and motor hydraulic transmission



P. S. MORGAN May 18, 1954 ROTARY PUMP AND MOTOR HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 2.50, 1950V JNVENTOR. ada/a @i Qofcgww, BY

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May 1s, 1954 P. s. MORG Y2,678,536

ROTARY PUMP AND MOTOR HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION d POR 75H s. MORGAN, /l BY I 4 I A 3 I W A7 ORA/5y May 18, 1954 I P. s. Mone-AN ROTARY PUMP AND MoToR HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION Filed Dee; so, 195o 8 Sheets-Sheet I5 N NN.. TN,

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www www m IIMUHLI P. S. MORGAN ROTARY PUMP AND MOTOR HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 30, 1950 May 18, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 :F1 Ea? ATTORNEY May 18, 1954 P. s. MQRGAN ROTARY PUMP ANO MOTOR HYDRAULIC TRANsmssION Filed Dec. so, 195o 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN VEN TOR.

f HAM/ May 18, "1954 P. s. MORGAN ROTARY PUMP AND MOTOR HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION Filed Deo. :50, 195o 8 sheets-sheet e NNE@ .ROW A 5% im@ .Qwxmw m. "www Tw@ TNQ mwllmhwr QQ Rm.

Q5, PORT/Ff? 5. /170/96/4/1/ n) IN V EN TOR.

Patented May 18, 1954 OFFCE ROTARY PUMP AND MOTOR HYDRAULIC TRANSMISSION Porter S. Morgan, Westport, Conn.

Application December 30, 1950, Serial No. 203,620

Claims. l

The present invention relates to a duid transmission and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

The invention relates to fluid transmissions for changing speeds and converting torque suitable for uses in vehicles such as automobiles, trucks and railroad engines, in earth moving machinery such as bulldozers and the like, or in machine tools such as lathes, drill presses and the like. Because of its lightweight construction, it will be found useful in helicopters, boats and in other craft wherein the lessening of weight is essential.

Generally there is provided a unitary device which is interposed between a drive and a driven shaft, The device is provided with a casing which is rigidly connected with a drive shaft to revolve therewith. The driven shaft extends centrally and longitudinally through the casing and is provided adjacent its inner end with a z-shaped crank upon which is revolubly mounted a nutating wheel which is provided with a geared connection with the interior of the casing at all times. The nutating wheel is connected by means of connecting rods with a plurality of pistons arranged in parallel relation with the driven shaft in a suitable block forming a part of the interior of the casing and which block provides the necessary cylinders which together with the pistons just mentioned form a fluid f motor. A second series of cylinders and pistons is also arranged in the aforesaid block inwardly and in spaced relation to the rst mentioned pistons and cylinders and in this case constitutes a fluid pump which is connected through suitable passageways in the block with the fluid motor. The fluid pump is likewise provided with connecting rods which interconnect the pistons of the same with a device which may generally be referred to as a tilten This tilter consists of va collar which surrounds the driven shaft and extends from a bracket which is aliiXed to the vehicle itself outside of the casing and extends inwardly into the interior of the casing where it is provided with a spherical portion which is flattened upon diametrically opposite sides. An inner raceway member is provided with an opening for closely receiving the altered spherical member and is circular upon its outer periphery. An outer raceway member or reaction wheel is revolubly mounted upon the inner raceway member and has interposed therebetween a plurality oi ball races. Arms protruding from the outer raceway members are connected to the connecting rods of the fluid pump and a diametrcally opposed pair of such arms are provided with extensions which are, in turn, provided with roller bearings which lie between, in each case, pairs of fins which are attached to the inner side of the casing. A control collar is revolubly mounted upon the rst-mentioned collar and extends from without the casing where a controlling lever is affixed thereto to a point within the casing where it terminates in a bevel gear. The outer raceway member is provided with an extension which has formed thereon. a rack which is enmeshed with the bevel gear and by proper movement of the control lever the tilter will be moved to selected positions to thereby control the ratio of speed between the drive and the driven shaft. in certain positions of the control lever, the apparatus forming the present invention will be in a neutral position; in another position of the control lever, the apparatus will be in a reverse position; in another position of the control lever, the apparatus will be in direct drive position; and in still another position of the control lever, the apparatus will be in an over-drive position. Of course, it will be understood that an infinity of conditions may be had in between the positions just mentioned.

t is accordingly an object of the invention to provide means whereby variations of speed and relative torque can be readily obtained by the movement of a simple control means.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a transmission apparatus which, when in direct drive condition, moves with the drive and driven shafts as a single moving part.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in an apparatus of the character set forth, of novel means for providing over-drive without the necessity for additional mechanism therein.

Another object of the invention is the pro- Vision of a power transmission system .in which the engine may be utilized as a brake and in which the engine may be started by moving the vehicle in which it is installed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor in which each piston has the dual function of operating not only as a piston but also as both the inlet and the exhaust valve for another associated piston in such pump and/ or motor.

A still further object of the invention is the provision, in a device of the character set forth, of a novel nutatlng wheel forming a part of the invention.

A iurther object or" the invention is the provision, in an apparatus of the character set forth, of a novel reaction wheel forming a part of the invention.

A still further object oi the invention is the provision in an apparatus of the character set forth, of novel means for providing iuid connection between a pump and a motor driven by iluid emanating from such pump.

A still further object of the invention is the provision, in an apparatus of the character set forth, oi novel control means for such apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in an apparatus of the character set forth, of novel means for returning hydraulic uid to a casing from a housing into which such fluid may leak.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in an apparatus oi the character set forth, of novel means for supplying over-drive without the necessity for adding extraneous mechanisms.

Still another object or the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the character set forth which may be easily controlled through servo mechanisms from remote positions.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure i is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment oi the apparatus shown partly in elevation and partly broken away, and taken ysubstantially along line I-I of Figure 2, and showing the apparatus in neutral condition,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 2 2 of `Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, somewhat reduced, and showing the apparatus in reverse condition,

Figure e is a reduced view similar to Figure 1 but showing the apparatus in direct drive condition,

Figure 5 is a reduced. View similar to Figure 1 but showing the apparatus in over-drive condition,

Figure S is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View, partly in elevation, of the apparatus as it appears in direct drive condition,

Figure is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 'alii of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view of a modified form of motor or pump constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and which can be used as illustrative of the motor portion and pump portion of the invention asillustrated in Figures i to '7, inclusive,

Figure 9 is a reduced View similar to Figure 8 but further illustrating the operation of the apparatus as shown in Figure S,

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a further modified form the invention may assume, and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 10 but showing a still further minor modication thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown therein a casing it, a portion Il of which forms a iiywheel and to which iiywheei is affixed bv means of bolts i2 or the like a bell I3 which is formed integrally with a drive shaft I4. A driven shaft I5 extends centrally and 1ongitudinally into the casing I il and is maintained 4 in position by ball races I8 and I in which it is revolubly mounted.

At what may be termed the motor end of the casing and adjacent the bearing i6, the shaft I5 is provided with a Z-shaped portion I3 upon which is revolubly mounted a nutating wheel I9 which is provided with a hub 25 having enlarged portions 2i at either end thereof for thereception of ball races 22. One side of the nutating wheel I9 has formed thereon a bevel gear 23 which is enmeshed with a bevel 2li which is aflixed to the interior of the casing and which is in concentric reiation with the shaft I 5.

At what may be termed the pump end of the casing, that is to say that end of the casing opposite to which is enclosed the nutating wheel i9, there is provided a tilter generally designated at 25.

in the medial portion of the casing it, the same is inwardly and radially enlarged to provide a cylinder block 2t containing eight longitudinally extending cylinders 2l which are spacedcircumferentially from one another and which are closed at that end thereof adjacent the pump end of the casing, as indicated at 2S. The block 2t also contains eight cylinders 29 which are likewise spaced circumierentially from one another and which extend in a longitudinal direction. The cylinders 29 are closed at those ends thereof which are `adjacent the pump end of the casing It, as indicated at 3@ and the cylinders 29 are also interposed between the cylinders 21 and are situate closer to the shaft E5 than the cylinders 2l as will be clearly seen in Figure 2 of the drawings.

A fixed stationary member 3l which will hereinafter be termed the reaction iulcrum is affixed by means of bolts 32 or the like to a housing 33 which, in turn, is aixed to the vehicle or the like in which the present apparatus may be installed. The reaction fulcrum 3i encompasses the ball races Il which, as aforesaid, act to support the driven shaft I5.

The reaction fulcrum Si is positioned without the casing Hl and is provided with an integrally formed sleeve 34 which surrounds the shaft I5 and extends into the casing IG and terminates substantially midway of the length of the casing i6. The collar it is provided with a preferably integrally formed spherical portion 35 which is cut away at diametrically opposed points to form fiattened surfaces 36, as clearly shown in Figure 7. An inner raceway tilter member 3l is provided with an opening 38 which is designed to closely receive therein the bulged portion 35 and the member 3l' is provided with a circular outer periphery, as indicated at Sil. The member 31 may be formed, if desired, in two portions which may be thereafter joined together by bolts or the like or in any other suitable manner. It will be apparent that the member 3l may be revolved upon the bulged portion 35 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1.

An outer tilter member d!) is revolubly mounted upon the inner member 3'! by means of ball races 4i and the member 48 will be hereinafter termed the reaction wheel.

Emanating from the outer periphery of the reaction wheel 4i) in spaced relation to one. another is a plurality of arms 42 which, in the present embodiment of the invention, are eight in number. Each of the arms 42 has a pivot connection 43 with a connecting rod 44 which extends into an adjacent cylinder 29 and is, in turn,

connected by a tau and socket joint 45 with a,

piston 46 reciprocally mounted in the cylinder 29.

Each cylinder 2'! has reciprocally mounted therein a piston il and a ball and socket joint 48 connects the same, through the open end of the cylinder 2l, with a connecting rod 49 and each of the connecting rods t9 is, in turn, connected by means of a pivot joint 5G in spaced relation with the nutating `wheel i9.

Atlixed to and preferably formed integral with the member 3l is a gear segment 5l (see Figure 6) which is enmeshed with a bevel gear 52 which is, in turn, formed integrally with a colla-r 53 which encircles the collar 34 and extends through the pump end of the casing l and terminates in an outwardly extending lever 54. The lever 54 extends through an opening 55 provided in the housing 33 and is provided in its outer end with a spring actuated latch member 56 which coacts with a latching bar 51 aixed by means of bolts 58 or the like to the body of the vehicle or other device in which the present apparatus may be placed, as indicated at 58d.

Two of the arms 42 which are diametrically opposed to each other are provided with extensions 59 each of which has mounted adjacent its outer end a roller bearing Eli. The casing it) s provided with two pairs of inwardly extending guide plates ii i, each pair being located at diamet rcally opposed points upon the inner side of the casing lil and each pair being adapted to accommodate one of the roller bearings Ec, as clearly shown in Figure 7.

The driven shaft i extends through a journal block 6?. formed centrally in the housing 33 and that portion of the driven shaft i5 which is embraced by the block E2 is provided'with a piu rality of radially extending passageways E3 which communicate with an annular groove 54 in the outer portion of the shaft i5. A centrally disposed and longitudinally extending passageway 65 extends inwardly from the central terminations of the passageways 'd3 to communicate with a radial passageway E56 formed in the shaft i5 at approximately its medial portion Within the casing it.

A pump Si is affixed to the stationary member 3l by means of a bracket SS and is provided with an intake pipe 69 which extends downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom of a well 'lo formed in the housing 33. The pump 67 is also provided with an outlet pipe 'Il which is, in turn, extended through the block S2 to communicate with the annular groove S4.

The pump 6l is provided with a shaft l2 having a pulley 'I3 afxed thereto and a reduced portion M of the casing lll has affixed thereto al pulley l5. The pulleys 13 and 15 are interconnected by means of a belt i6.

A small check valve 'il may be positioned in the closed end of one or more of the cylinders 27. The pistons til each form with the closed ends of the cylinder 2l' a chamber 'is and, likewise, the pistons `:16 forni with the closed ends 3l) of the cylinders 29, chambers i9. While the apparatus is activated, oil or other hydraulic uid is drawn into and forced out oi' the chambers i8 and 19 by the pistons All and 46, respectively, without the use of additional valves heretofore employed in other types of hydraulic pumps and motors.

In order to fully understand the port valve ac'- tion which takes place between the group of cylinders 21 and the group of cylinders 29, reference is now made to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings which also show an alternative em.

bodiment of the Ihydraulic means employed in the present invention. In Figures 8 and 9 there is shown an eight-cylinder radial type pump or motor in which each piston is connected to a common crank. It Will be seen that eight cylinders a, Bill?, 86o, 80d, 80e, lf, 88g and 89h are respectively supplied with pistons Sic, SIb, Sic, Eid, 8ic, tlf, tlg and 8th which are each connected by means of connecting rods 82o., 82h, 32o, 82d, 82e, 821, 82g and 82h, respectively, to aora-nk 83 formed in a shaft 84.

Each of the pistons Sla, etc. is respectively provided with a reduced portion 85d, 85h, 85e, 85d, 85e, 85]', 85g and 85h. The cylinder Bild is provided with annular grooves Stic, Sla. 88a and. 89a; the cylinder bis provided with like annular grooves Elib, lb, 88h and 891;; the cyline der 80e is provided with annular grooves 86o, 81e, 83e and 89o; the cylinder 80d is pro-vided with like annular grooves 86d, 81d, 38d and 89d; the cylinder 89e is provided with like annular grooves Ste, 81e, 88e and 89e; the cylinder 80j is provided with like annular grooves SGI', lili, 88,7 and dei; the cylinder 80g is provided with like annular grooves Btg, 31g, 88g and 88g and the cylinder BWL is provided with like annular grooves 86h, 87h, 83h and 83h. A circular pipe line B0 which is concentric with the shaft B interconnects all of the grooves 89a, 89h, 89C, 88d, 89e, 8er, 89g and 89h and an outer circular pipe line 9| which is concentric with the pipe line Si) and the shaft 84, interconnects all of the grooves 81a, 81h, G'Ic, 81d', 81e, 81j, 31o and 81h. rlhe groove 86d is connected by means of a pipe 92 with the groove 88o; the groove 86h is connected by a pipe e3 with a groove 88d; the groove 86e is connected by means of a pipe Qd with the groove 82e; the groove 86d is connected by means of a pipe 95 with the groove BSJ: the groove 35e is connected by means of a pipe 9S with the groove SBg; the groove 861 is connected by means of a pipe .'i'd with the groove 687i; the groove 85g is connected by means of a pipe Q8 with the groove 88a and the groove 86h is connected by means of a pipe 99 with the groove 88h. lt will be noted that the cylinders thus connected in each case have their longitudinal axes perpendicular to each other or, regarding the circular aspects of the motor-pump thus shown in Figures 8 and 9, those cylinders which are apart have thus interconnected by the pipes e2, e3, etc..

In the position of the motor or piu-np shown, for example, in Figure 8, it will be observed that the connecting rods 82a and 32e are in alignment with each other. In this condition it is to be observed that the reduced portions 85e and 85g are exactly centered between the ports Bic and 89e and the ports tlg and 89g, respectively, and it will further be observed that the pistons 8 la and Sie are momentarily at their dead center and are at rest and that therefore hydraulic iiuid in the chambers lima and iilie is neither being forced into or drawn out of such chambers. It is therefore safe to block the inlets and outlets of the chambers iiiic and Elite by the positions of the pistons Sia and ille, respectively, which pistons have for a very small interval of time sealed the escape of iiuid from the annular grooves 88o and 88g. At this moment, however, the pistons Bic and Big are travelling at their highest radial velocity. At this time it should be mentioned that the pipe line 9i is provided with an inlet or outlet port it! and the pipe line 9i) is provided with an inlet or outlet port |32.

`Considering that the motor or pump shown in- Figure 8, for example, rotating in the direction of' the arrow Iill and that the shaft 84 is stationary, it will be seen that one-eighth of a revolutionof the motor-pump ora 45 rotation thereof that the piston S ig will assume the presently shown position of piston 8th. This Inove- Inent will unlock the annular groove 38h associated with the piston because the reduced portion 85h has made a direct connection between the groove 88h andthe groove 81h which, inturn, connects with the pipe line 9i,

During this saine cycle oi 45 travel, the piston 8 ie will assume the present position of the piston tif and the fluid in the chamber llilf will find an outlet through the groove 85j, thence through the pipe Si' and into the groove 88h and thence into the pipe line el. Euring this partial cycle of rotation just described, the piston 81j will assume the position presently occupied by the pis ton tlg and hydraulic iiuid entrapped in the chamber lilllg' will rind its outlet in the groove tata' associated with the piston Bia and thence pass through the reduced portion Elia and into the groove Sla, and finally into the pipe line 9i. ln like manner, the uuid trapped in the chamber I'h will rind its way to the pipe line 9i. Again, during the cycle aforesaid, the piston 8m will assume the position now shown for piston lila. As the latter is on dead center as previously ex plained there will be no movement of the hydraulic iiuid trapped in the chamber illa. Pursuing this same 45 cycle of rotation, the pistonY Sla will assume the present position of the piston 8Ib which is now beginningY to move inwardly toward the common center. It is therefore drawing fluid into the chamber itb which obtains its supply of rluid through the pipe $3 due to the fact that the groove 83d associated with piston gid is now opened to communication with the pipe line et. ln like manner, the chamw ber ilc is connected to thc pipe line 9@ through the behavior oi the piston 81e and likewise the chamber Bild will be supplied through the be havioi` of the piston tif.

During the actions just above described, it will be apparent that the pipe line Sti acted' as the supply line while the pipe line 9! acte-:l as the outlet pipe for the various cylinders. lf, now, the direction of rotation of the apparatus be reversed to that shown by the arrow H33, it will be seen that the pipe will become the supply line while the pipe line d will become the outlet pipe. it will also be apparent that if the body of the apparatus is held stationary and the crank pin t3 allowed to revolve in either direction, that the action will be relatively the same.

It will be seenV that if the crank pin 33 is held stationary Vand hydraulic fluid is admitted through the port itl and thence into the pipe line el that the apparatus will function as a hydraulic motor revolving its block in a direction opposite to that of the arrow ist. lf, however', the pipe line Si@ becomes the high pressure side ci the apparatus through admission of fluid through tlie'port im and the crank S3 heldin xed position, the cylinder blocl: will thence rotate in the direction of the arrow IES.

' In Figure l0 there is shown a further modincation of the invention in which the radial piston construction shown in Figure 8' replaces the nutating wheel is of the apparatus, as shown, for example, in Figure l of the drawings. The re action wheel it with its component parts includ ing the tilting means 25 are identical in the apparatus shown in Figure 1i)y with the apparatus shown, for example, in Figure i. The preferred form: of the invention is illustrated by that form shown, for example, in Figure l but it is believed that the device shown in figure 8 by way of eX- arnple cla-rifles the action particularly when the form shown in Figure 8 is substituted for the nutating wheel and its component parts as illustrated in Figurel l0.

The method or valve porting described with reference to Figure 8 is identical in the radial motor portion of the device shown in Figure 10 and it will be apparent that the nutating wheel Hll in l is another torni of crank action but which, however, has structural advantages not found in the form or" the invention shownY in Figure 8.

YReferring now to Figures l to 5, inclusive, 9x1

el constitute circular grooves which are conv centric with the shaft l5 and correspond in their functions with supply pipes 'Sli and el, respectively. li'nnular grooves Se', 8l', 88 and 89' correspond respectively to the annular grooves 36a, tlc, and etc. shown in Figure 3 and function in an identical manner therewith. It will be seen that the eight annular grooves 81 are connected with the circular passageway Si as shown in dotted lines, at lll and it will also that the circular passageway til is connested the eight annular grooves 8% by means oi' ducts as shown in dotted lines at HI.

Likewise, the nuto-ting wheel iQ and its corresponding cylinders lo function through their corresponding ports and grooves in an identical manner. In this case, however, the annular grooves S9 are connected to the supply port 9; i while the grooves El are connected with the supply ports Sri', as shown in dotted lines at H2 and l i3, respectively, and, similarly to the structure shown in Figure 8, the grooves 3S' are each connected to a groove et or a piston located 90 away.

The operation of the apparatus as disclosed in Figures l to 5, inclusive, is as follows: referring to Figure l, if the casing it is revolving in the direction of the arrow il@ and the driven shaft l5 is held against rotation, then the crank i8 will remain fixed in the position shown while the nutating wheel i because or" the connection between Jrhe gears 23 and 2li, will revolve around the crank l in the position shown. Assuming the interior ci the casing lo to be suitably filled with replenishing supply of hydraulic luid, and also aisuniing that all of the passages and grooves heretoiore described are initially iilled with hydraulic i'iuid, then each time the casing i8 makes a complete revolution, each piston il will relatively reciprocate one time and, during the compression cycle, each of the pistons l will discharge or try to discharge the fluid trapped in the chambers 'i8 into the annular groove 9|' and at the saine time, during the suction cycle, each piston si will draw in or attempt to draw in uid Vfrom the annular groove to. It is therefore selfevident that the annular groove e i must have an outlet for the fluid forced thereinto and that the annular groove et must have an inlet or a source of fluid. Y

In Figure l the apparatus is shown as being in.

neutral position. In this particular position the capacity oi volumetric displacement of the pistons all is absolutely equal to the volumetric displacement of the pistons llt or, in other words,

capacity ofk the pump constituted by the pistons :it and their cylinders and the motor constitilted by' the pistons; t1 and their cylinders the figure.

same. Therefore, all of the fluid that is pumped by the pistons 4l is received in full measure but no more and no less by the eight pistons 46 and, in turn, all of the iiuid which is pumped by the eight pistons 45 is received in full measureno more and no less by the eight pistons 4l and their respective cylinders. It is obvious, therefore, that when the tilter 25 is in the position shown in Figure i. of the drawings that the driven shaft I5 will remain stationary regardless of the speed of rotation of the drive shaft I4.

` The check valves 'I'I which may be one or more in number are for the purpose of admitting such fluid as may be necessary for the interior of the casing I0. The casing Iii is not necessarily completely filled with iluid but preferably an air core is left for expansion or compression. The housing 33 surrounds the entire apparatus with the exception of the bell I3 and drive shaft I4 and is provided with a well I within which may be collected such hydraulic fluid as may leak from time to time from the casing I and its allied apparatus. This collected fluid may be returned to the interior of the casing by means of the pump 61 which is operated by the rotation of the casing I0 through the pulleys 'I5 and 13 and belt 'I6 Whereby fluid is drawn into the intake pipe 69 to the pump S1 and discharged into the pipe 'II which then delivers such fluid to the annular groove 64 where it passes through the radial opening 63 into the opening 65 in the shaft I5 and from whence it is finally discharged into the casing Ii) through the passageway 66.

Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the same is now in position for direct drive. In this position the reaction wheel 4i) is rotating on the same axis as the driven shaft I5 and there is no fluid being pumped or allowed lto be received by the group of pistons 46 and their respective cylinders. Therefore, the fluid contained by the immediate piston group 41 and its cylinders 21 is provided with no outlet. It therefore locks the pistons and carries the Z-crank I8 `around at the same speed as drive shaft I4 and `the .whole transmission revolves as one unit in direct drive or one-to-one ratio.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that the apparatus is now shown in over-drive position. This condition is sometimes termed overdirect drive. It will be noted that the farther to the right that the bottom part of the wheel is moved, as viewed in Figure 5, the greater will be the overdrive but, of course, overdrive will be experienced whenever the bottom of the wheel llt, as viewed in Figure 5, is to the right of a vertical line in such When the tilter 25 causes the reaction wheel I0 to accept the tilt or dish as shown in Figure 5 then, instead of the pump piston group 4S receiving fluid from the motor piston group 41 as was explained when the apparatus was in neutral position, the pump piston group 46 forces fluid in the opposite direction or into the annular groove 8|. Both piston groups are now discharging or trying to discharge into the annular groove 9|' and, since something has .to yield, the piston group 41 will start to operate as a motor thus nutating the wheel I9 and rotating the driven shaft I5 at a greater speed and in the same direction of the casing IIl and drive shaft I4. It should be borne in mind that there are two means of rotating the driven shaft I5. One is to carry the whole driven shaft around by locking the nutating or wobble action of the wheel I8 and the other is by nutating or wobbling the wheel I9. In other words, if the casing IIJ is held from rotation and fluid forced by external means into the annular groove 9|', the eight pistons 41 and their cylinders constitute a hydraulic motor in performance and will nutate or wobble the wheel It and rotate the driven shaft I5. It is clear, therefore, that when the casing Ill is revolving as in the direction of the arrow I Irl in Figure l and the pistons 4l are also revolving the driven shaft I5 by nutating the wheel I9, that the driven shaft I5 assumes a speed equivalent to the addition of both of these driving forces.

Now, referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the apparatus is now shown as being in reverse condition. Under these circumstances, the reaction wheel Il@ is tilted so far that the piston group l5 becomes a pump of greater capacity than the motor piston group il and discharges its fluid now into the annular groove 9G. As heretofore explained in regard to the showing of the invention illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, when the pressures in the grooves and 9| are reversed, the direction of the hydraulic motor action is also reversed. In this case, illustrated in Figure 3, the wheel I9 is made to nutate or wobble faster in the opposite direction than the casing It) is revolving in the other direction. It will readily be seen, therefore, that the direction of now is one way or the other depending upon which side of the center line drawn through the tilter 25 perpendicularly to the driven shaft I5 is dished or tilted. It will also be seen that all speeds between zero and direct drive are found between the position of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and the position of the apparatus shown in Figure 4 and that all speeds greater than direct drive are found between the position of' the apparatus as shown in Figure 4 and the position of the apparatus shown in Figure 5, and that, furthermore, all reverse speeds are found loetween the position shown in Figure 1 and the position of the apparatus as shown in Figure 3.

The casing I0 is revolving in the direction of the arrow IIlI in Figure l and a rotative resistance is applied to the driven shaft 5. This causes the motor composed of the pistons 41 and their associated cylinders to either freely pump fluid as previously described with respect to neutral position (Fig. l), imposing little or no driving torque on the propeller shaft or driven shaft I5 or to pump iluid in varying degrees of resistance imposing torque on the shaft I5 in proportion to that resistance and utilizing the fluid pumped under pressure to operate the hydraulic pump composed of the pistons @i3 and their associated cylinders, the hydraulic pump thus giving off its energy in the form of torque applied to the reaction wheel il which,l in turn, reduces the load on the prime mover through the casing I0.

The eight-cylinder groups as arranged in this embodiment of the invention produce a very uniform flow of fluid. It may prove expedient, however, to incorporate a small air pocket or other yielding means in the hydraulic fluid line between one group and the other to absorb vibration, and it will be quite apparent that the invention is not limited to the use of eight pistons since other combinations of pistons may be used so long as each piston can be teamed up or connected with another piston and its associated-cylinder 90 away as heretofore explained. It is also evident that the mating pistous and cylinders can either be 96 ahead of or 90 behind each other.

i .There is shown a lever 51% for controlling the tilter 25. lt Jill be apparent that as the lever ft is rotated either cloclrwise or countercloclwise about the shaft iii as a center, that the bevel gear 52 will lilrewise be rotated. This will cause, through` the gear connection between the gear 52 and the segment 5I, a correspondmg rotative movement of the tilter 25 and its associated parts around the bulged portion 35, as viewed, for example, in Figures l, 3, 4 and 5. The tilter is prevented from rotation relative to the casing lil by the encompassing of the extended arms 55 andtheir rollers t@ between the plates 6I. A latch mechanism has been shown at 5t and 5l 'to merely illustrate that the lever 5t may be latched in. selected positions. It will be apparent, however, that the lever 54 may be moved by remote control through the use of servomotors or the like. Other desirable variations may be imparted to the movement of the l ver 5ft through the action of an accelerator pedal. It will also be apparent that thel apparatus may be designed in perfect balance at all times by the addition of mass to counterbalanee the nutating action of the Wheel i5 and the varying positions of the pistons 46 and All.

It will likewise be apparent that the reduced portions of the pistons may be reduced in size with respect to their longitudinal dimensions in which event additional or starter valves may be utilized when such reduced portions lie between certain of the annular grooves in the respective 'cylinders and that, in such case, such starter valves may be operated by the revolutions of the driven shaft i5.

While only the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled. in the art that many minor modications may be made without departing from the spirit or" the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An apparatus or" the character described comprising a casing, a drive shaft aiXed to one end of said casing, a driven shaft extending inwardly through the other end of the casing and journaled in that end thereof to which the drive shaft is aihxed, said rive and driven shafts being in axial alignment, a Z-shaped crank formed in the driven shaft adjacent the inner end therevvof, a nutating wheel revolubly mounted on said crank, a gear wheel aiiXed to said nutating wheel, a ring gear ailxed to said housing and enineshed with the gear wheel of said nutating wheel, a block extending inwardly from the central portion of casing, a fluid motor having a plurality of cylinders formed in spaced circumferential relation in said block, a piston in each of said cylinders, said cylinders each having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of said shafts and casingy connecting rods interconnecting each of said pistons with spaced peripheral portions of said nut-ating wheel, a fluid pump having a plurality of pump cylinders formed in spaced circumferential relation in said bloclz, a pump piston in each of said pump cylinders, a reaction wheel revolubly mounted to rotate coincidentally with said casing on said driven shaft, connecting rods interconnecting said reaction wheel. and said pump pistons, said pump cylinders being positioned between and inwardly of the cylinders of the uuid motor and each-likewise having its longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the shafts and casing, said bloei-z having lpassageways for uid connection between the pump and motor, regulating means in casing for controlling the flow of fluid between said pump and said motor whereby to regulate the ratio oi speed and the directionof rotation between the drive and the driven shafts, and control means exterior of said easing for controlling said regulating means.

2. An apparatus as in claim l wherein said regulating means comprises Van velongated collar surrounding the drivenshaft and fixed against rotation exteriorly or said casing and extending inwardly of said casing, an enlarged spherical portion in said collar having a pair of diametrically opposed flattened areas, an inner ring having an opening therein snugly receiving the spherical portion including said flattened areas, an outer ring revoluble upon the inner ring, ball races interposed between the inner and outer rings, a pl ra-l'ty of spaced outwardly extending arms affixed to said outer ring, a connecting rod interc-oruiecting each oi said arms with a piston of the uuid pump, a pair of diametrieally opposed extensions each ailxed to one of said arms, a roller mounted on each extension, a pair of guide uns for each of said rollers, said guide hns being aixed to the inner side of said casing', and means for rotating said rings upon the spherical portion to vary the angular relation of an axis extending through said rollers with the axis of said driven shaft.

3. An apparatus as in claim l wherein said regulating means comprises an elongated collar surrounding the driven shaft and xed against rotation exteriorly of said casing and extending inwar ly of said casing, an enlarged spherical portion in said collar having a pair of diametrically opposed flattened areas, an inner ring having an opening therein snugly receiving the spherical portion including -said flattened areas, an outer ring revolubl upon the inner ring, ball races interposed between the inner and outer rings,V a iplurality of spaced outwardly extending arms aflixed to said outer ring, a connecting rod interconnecting each of said arms with a piston of the huid pump, pair or" diametrically opposed extensions each afXed to one of said arms, a roller mounted on each extension, a pair of guide ns for each of said rollers, said guide fins being affixed to the inner side of said casing, and means for rotating said rings upon the spherical portion to vary the angulairelation of an axis extending through said rollers with the axis of said driven shaft, said last-named means including a segmental gear affixed to and extending from said inner ring, a control collar surrounding the fixed collar and extending into said Casing, a lever at the outer end of said control collar, and a gear enrneshed with said `segmental gear at the inner end of said control collar.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said block is provided with a plurality of annular grooves conununicatingwith each of the cylinders of both said pump and said motor, wherein each of said pistons is provided with a centrally disposed reduced portion, and wherein passageways are provided for interconnecting said grooves.

5. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said blool; is provided with a plurality of annular grooves communicating with each of the cylinders of both said pump and said motor, wherein each of said pistons is provided with a Vcentrally disposed reduced portion, and wherein passageways are provided for interconnecting said "ways are provided for grooves, said block having a plurality of annular grooves communicating with each of the cylinders of both said pump and said motor, said pistons each provided with a centrally disposed reduced portion, and said block having passagei ways interconnecting said grooves.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said block is provided with a plurality of annular grooves communicating with each ofthe cylinders of both said pump and said motor, wherein each of said pistons is provided with a centrally disposed reduced portion, and wherein passageinterconnecting said grooves.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said regulating means comprises an elongated collar surrounding the driven shaft and fixed against rotation exteriorly or said casing and extending inwardly of casing, an enlarged spherical portion in said. collar having a pair of diametrically opposed flattened areas, an inner ring having an opening therein snugly receiving. the spherical portion including said flattened areas, an outer ring revoluble upon the inner ring, hall races interposed between the inner and outer rings, a plurality of spaced outwardly extending arms affixed to said outer ring, a connecting rod interconnecting each of said arrns with a piston of the fluid pump, a pair of `diainetrically opposed extensions each affixed to one of said arms.. a roller mounted on each extension, a pair of guide nhs for each of said rollers, said guide ns being ailxed `to the inner side of said casing, and means for rotating said rings upon the spherical portion to vary the angular relation of an axis extending through said rollers with the axis of said driven shaft, said block having a plurality of annular grooves communicating with each of the cylinders of both said pump and said motor, said pistons each provided with a centrally disposed reduced portion, and said block having passageways interconnecting said grooves.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 further characterized by the fact that each piston and its associated cylinder control the flow of fluid to and from the cylinder ciroumierentially removed therefrom. i

9. An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein means is provided for returning uid lost from the interior of said casing.

10. An apparatus as in claim 'i wherein means is provided for returning fluid lost from the interior of said casing, said means including a fixed housing encompassing said casing, a well in the bottom of said casing, a iixed pump within said housing, nieans interconnecting said pump and casing for` driving said pump, an inlet pipe for said pump terminating in said well, a block surrounding said driven shaft and having a transverse passage therethrough, an outlet pipe for seid pump terminating at said transverse passage, an annular groove in the ldriven shaft registering with said transverse passage, a plurality of radial passages extending inwardly from said annular groove, a centrally and longitudinally extending passage in said driven shaft connecting said radial passages and an outlet opening in the driven shaft centrally of the casing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,274,391 Davis Aug. 6, 1918 1,297,734 Rayburn Mar. 18, 1919 1,654,794 Coyle Jan. '3, 1928 1,695,289 Lee Dec. 18, 1928 1,849,873 Rayburn Jan, 12, 1932 1,846,961` Greening et al Feb. 23, 1932 1,852,335 Rosen Apr. 5, 1932 `?,l"l,4=0l Johns Oct. 17, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 508,434 France July 24, 1920 621,409 France Feb. 5, 1927 

